Cost of Living: Riverside, CA vs Carrollton, TX (2026)

Riverside

California
144
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

Riverside is 24% more expensive than Carrollton.

$1,812/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 8%
$88,575/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↑ 12%
$542,100 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 35%
$1,880/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 10%
316,241
Population
132,741

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $138/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $1,656/year.

Median household income is $10,540/year higher in Carrollton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Carrollton residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside vs Carrollton — common questions

Is Riverside or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Carrollton?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $138/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Carrollton?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $10,540/year higher in Carrollton.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Riverside or Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Riverside details → View Carrollton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Riverside and Carrollton

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